Store Executive Intern (Store Leadership Intern) – Greater San Diego, CA (Starting Summer 2027)

Target • San Diego, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Store Executive Intern is a paid, hands-on store leadership training program designed to provide a realistic preview of Target’s Executive Team Leader (Assistant Store Manager) role. The internship is 40 hours per week over a defined period and introduces interns to multiple areas of store operations, with most time spent leading alongside team members, working on store priorities, and delivering excellent guest service. Interns work with an Executive Team Leader mentor and other store leaders, learn to manage departments, and receive ongoing development and feedback. The program develops skills in guest service, retail business operations, team leadership, sales, merchandising, staffing, and talent management.

The role is fast-moving, team-oriented, and physically active. Interns work on the salesfloor and in the backroom, help lead daily operations, and build an inclusive, safe, and welcoming store environment. Schedules are flexible and may include varying hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and peak shopping periods. The position requires reliable attendance and the ability to access all areas of the building, use store technology, handle merchandise, and lift or move items frequently up to 44 pounds.

Requirements

• Strong interest in retail management within Target stores.
• Leadership skills and team-oriented thinking.
• Ability to learn and adapt to current technology needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage workload and prioritize tasks independently.
• Welcoming and helpful attitude and effective communication skills.
• Ability to access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues.
• Ability to interpret instructions, reports, and information.
• Ability to accurately handle cash register operations as needed.
• Ability to climb up and down ladders as needed.
• Ability to scan, handle, and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 44 pounds.
• Ability to communicate on multiple-frequency devices and operate handheld scanners and other technology equipment as directed.
• Flexible schedule availability, including nights, weekends, holidays, and peak shopping times; reliable and prompt attendance.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving, highly active, physically demanding role requiring teamwork, flexibility, and creative problem-solving.

Nice To Haves

• Previous retail experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead team members on the salesfloor and in the backroom, aligning them around daily business priorities.
• Work with an Executive Team Leader mentor and other store leaders to understand their roles and learn how to lead a department.
• Lead daily priorities such as stocking shelves, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, and building displays.
• Teach, coach, train, and provide timely performance feedback to team members; address concerns and remove operational hurdles.
• Lead or present at daily huddles and communicate results and priorities to peers and leaders.
• Plan daily goals and organize plans within the store; work with store leaders to set goals and expectations.
• Review business reporting and guest insights to identify, troubleshoot, and follow up on opportunities.
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by ensuring team members are knowledgeable and empowered to resolve guest needs.
• Recommend solutions and new ideas for business or team opportunities.
• Participate in internship training, developmental opportunities, and events; seek feedback and learning opportunities.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; hold others accountable to these commitments and identify and correct hazards.
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, safe, and secure culture, and carry out the department’s principal duties and responsibilities.
• Learn all store business areas to develop business acumen and help guests in a welcoming manner.
• Perform other duties based on business needs.

Benefits

• Eligible team members and their dependents may receive medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits.
• 401(k).
• Employee discount.
• Short-term disability and long-term disability.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid national holidays.
• Paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed